Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1297. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to deal with the chronic shortage of vets; if a second college will be established to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.
Funding the Future, a landmark policy document, was launched in May 2022. It provides the policy basis for the vision and direction of higher education funding in a sustainable way. A key element of this policy framework is a focus on driving skills and engagement, with a particular focus on essential public services. Through this policy framework my Department and HEA will strengthen planning for provision, and alignment between the sector and the national skills architecture, including workforce planning for key public services.
Officials from my Department have been engaging extensively with the Higher Education Authority and the higher education sector to identify where additional places can and should be provided in the higher education system for the next academic year and beyond. These additional places will be targeted at areas of acute skills need as identified through our national skills architecture. However there are real, material limits on the number of places that can be created on courses with significant practical elements and placement requirements, such as veterinary medicine.
